329 x Swift

It’s been a few weeks since I did an interview with a client, sorry the past few weeks have been hectic but this week I’m back with Swift Beats. I’ve known Swift for a while now due to us both networking with DJ Grind and thanks to him I realized the capabilities of Soundclick design wise. He’s constantly putting tracks out whether they’re complete or instrumentals… but I’ll let him tell you about that.

329: Please give the readers of my blog an introduction, who are you and what do you get up to?

Swift: Hey, wassup people! I go by the name of Swift, aka Swift Beats I’m a UK based hip hop artist and producer. What I get up to? I practically live in my studio it’s the first place I go in the mornings and last place before I go to bed.

329: How did you originally get into music as an artist and as a producer? Who and/or what inspired you?

Swift: I like this question! I honestly feel like music’s in my blood! lol, I remember as a kid I used to record raps on tapes when i was bored and i just kept at it really. I started producing late 2008 out of necessity! I needed original beats and figured what better way than creating your own. So I went to university and studied pop music & record production I stayed for 2 semesters before I left but I didn’t quit! I kept learning and set up www.swiftbeats.co.uk and just grew from there really.

329: When you’re writing and/or composing a new track, what often inspires you?

Swift: For me I’ve just got to be completely relaxed, and let the music itself inspire me. That’s when I make the best music. I haven’t ‘written’ a track for over 6 months I listen to the music and as the words come I record them there and then, that gives me more creative freedom.

329: Out of all of the tracks you’ve recorded/produced, which is your favorite and why?

Swift: Hmmmm….. My favourite track… As a producer I would say a beat I called ‘zero gravity’ (available on swiftbeats.co.uk) its so simple yet so musical especially the hook, it just takes me away. As an artist that’s tougher I like all my tracks lol! but if I had to pick one I’m gonna go for my most recent. Its a track called ‘Round We Go’ you can watch the video at www.youtube.com/swiftmusicent

329: Some people don’t notice or appreciate design, others will decide on a product or service based on the way it looks. What is design to you and how important is it in everyday life?

Swift: I like things to look good, generally if something doesn’t look good I don’t really notice it, that sounds bad but hey I’m just being honest lol.

329: When you’re planning your next project to release in the near future, how important is the look of it to you?

Swift: For me design is equally as important as the content because that’s the first thing people see before they even decide to listen to your music, so if that’s not on point you’re kind of shooting yourself in the leg.

329: Okay, now I want to know what’s your favorite album musically and which is your favorite visually?

Swift: I listen to too much music to pick an all time favourite but the most recent album that blew my mind musically was Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Visually… I’m gonna go for Wiz Khalifa’s Rolling Papers that cover for me was on point, simple but straight away you know what Wiz is about, and still creatively done.

329: Yeah that’s an interesting cover, but can’t decide whether I like it or not though. As for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy… Love it! Are you into downloading pretty much everything or do you still like to pick up a CD at your local music store so you can flick through the booklet whilst you listen?

Swift: There was a time when I used to still go buy physical CDs but now that doesn’t happen… Its just too easy to click the buy button on itunes, so why would you want to walk all the way to a store?

329: haha lazy! Some artists have a distinct look that they’re known for, e.g. Fred Durst’s red baseball cap, Amy Lee’s gothic dresses and hair, Slick Rick’s eye patch and gold chains, Eminem’s once bleached blond hair and wife beaters and so on. Would you say you have a distinct look when you’re in recording artist mode? What about producer mode?

Swift: I don’t really know if I have a distinct look, I just do me really, I don’t know if that comes across as distinctive.

329: I just do me too Artists like Kanye West and Lady Gaga are always expanding their musical styles or crossing boundaries. Being versatile and controversial gets your name spread but do you think this is a good thing? Do you or will you make moves like this?

Swift: Um… this is a tricky one, me personally I wouldn’t go out of my way to cause controversy, but if something I strongly believed in was controversial I’d stand by it all the way! I think you definitely need to be versatile in this industry though because it’s constantly changing, you’ve got to change with it…. Unless you want to retire! lol

329: How big of a role does the internet, primarily social media, play with you and your music when it comes to networking, distributing and promoting?

Swift: I’m 100% independent so for me the internet is EVERYTHING I wouldn’t be making music without it.

329: Werd. What do you hope to achieve with your music and who would be your dream collaboration?

Swift: The master plan is to make enough money to invest in property… I’ve got plenty of other ideas too! A clever musician always has outside ventures! My dream collaboration…. I can’t pick one, I want to work with everyone who inspire me musically, but at this moment in time, I don’t think there are a lot of artists in the UK who would pass on an opportunity to work with Tinie Tempah.

329: Everything Tinie touches seams to turn to gold… for now anyway. How do readers of this interview find you? Leave your website(s) and any contact details you want to share.

Swift: The fastest way to get in touch with me about anything whether its about making music, getting a beat or just to say hey is on twitter! follow @swiftbeatsuk I’m also on youtube with GOOD quality music videos and if you’re an artist looking for quality affordable beats head over to www.swiftbeats.co.uk I also do customs.

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